Remember farm safety on National Ag Day

National Ag Day is March 25th. Today, we celebrate this great industry that provides us with so much. What are these things? Food, clothes, jobs, and the list could go on.

It is good to recognize the importance of what the Ag industry is doing for us not only on National Ag Day, but every day. It is also important to realize that there are potential dangers on farms that we need to watch out for.

In the last 50 years, there have been over 900 reported cases of grain engulfment. Of these 900 cases, 62 percent of them were fatal. Grain bin safety is just one aspect of farm safety.

When on a farm, many things need to be considered and often, many of them are overlooked. Examples of these are chemical safety, animal safety, ATV safety, lawnmower safety, tractor safety and rural road safety.

With planting season right around the corner, the amount of machinery on rural roads will increase, so I would like to focus on that topic. When driving down a gravel road, how often do you consider your safety and the safety of those driving down that same road that you may meet?

Below are a few important things to remember this spring as you may meet machinery more frequently on rural roadways.

• Drive cautiously

• Be patient when following a slow moving vehicle

• Pass only if you are certain the road is clear

• Do not let others ride in the bed of a pickup

• Always wear your seat belt and encourage your passengers to do the same

• Be conscious of the different road surfaces

• Examples: Soft gravel, loose gravel

This spring, please be conscious and careful as you drive down rural roads to help insure not only your personal safety, but the safety of others.

If you have any questions on Farm Safety, please feel free to contact me or visit our website at http://www.farmsafetyforjustkids.org.